Nakia Shelton and James Harman from University Relations with their ADDYs.

All the worries were over from the entry process to what to wear to the 2015-16 Western Virginia American Advertising Awards. The only fingernail-biting moment left was the reveal of ADDY winners during the Feb. 27 American Advertising Federation awards ceremony presented at the Roanoke Market Square.

Radford University had a large turnout of entrants and supporters. Several graphic design students and the creative services team from University Relations received awards. Alumni prevailed, as well.

“Radford was again well represented in not only its student and professional work, but also its alumni in both the professional category and as professors in 4 out of 5 of the winning schools in the student category,” said John O’Connor, assistant professor of art.

University Relations received two ADDYs. Special kudos go to art alumnus James Harman for his design of the Radford University Donor Booklet, for which the team won a Silver ADDY. The other Silver ADDY was for the Radford MFA Poster Campaign. Nakia Shelton designed the poster series and Michael Roche handled copywriting and editing. Former senior graphic design manager John Lucas managed the project.

ADDY-wining alumni included Sean Beaubien, former graphic designer for Member One FCU; Andrew Beaver with Uncork-It; David Hodge of Anstey Hodge Advertising Group; and Peggy Underwood with Corrugated Container Corporation.

Beaubien and his Member One team also won the Professional Best in Film, Video and Sound for their “It Takes a Local to Know Local.”

“It’s always amazing to see how the success of Radford’s graphic design program extends from our current students to recent graduates and on to the most prominent design professionals in the region, and it’s gratifying to see how supportive our alumni are with our current students and with our program in general,” said Ken Smith, assistant professor of art.